Lake, Denyse (nee Lajoie)

It is with great sadness that her family announces the passing of Denyse Lake (nee Lajoie) on Sunday, May 8, 2005.

Denyse was born in Trois-Rivieres, Quebec on March 27, 1932 to the Honourable Judge Leon Lajoie and Jeanne RenÚ de Cotret. She grew up surrounded by a loving family that included Germaine, Fran_oise (Jacques A. Gouin), Father Leon, s.j., Jacqueline, Madeleine, bÚbÚ RenÚ, RenÚe (Pierre St-Cyr), Yves (Micheline NoÙl). She is survived by all of her siblings with the exception of Father Leon s.j. and bÚbÚ RenÚ.

She met her loving husband and life partner, David C. Lake at a badminton club in Trois-Rivieres in 1952. Through their love and dedication to each other they overcame a language barrier and courted long distance while David went to the University of Ottawa. They were married on May 28, 1960. This year was to be their forty-fifth wedding anniversary. Denyse was a dedicated and loving wife and the very best of mothers to her three children, David, Michael and Sophie. She raised her family in Montreal, Quebec until 1977, when the family moved to Calgary. As the family grew Denyse also welcomed and cared deeply for David’s wife Carmen and Michael’s wife Magni. She was a great Nana and will forever be remembered by her grandchildren, Danielle, Spencer, Siri, and Sonja. Denyse had an exceptionally graceful, generous and positive spirit. She certainly gave of herself unselfishly and was always dedicated to helping her family and friends. Denyse loved to host gatherings and was an exceptional cook. She will be missed by her friends, especially around Christmas when she always happily hosted a very special party. While we will miss her dearly, we know the light of Denyse’s spirit will shine through all of those who were near to her. She will always be in our thoughts. We are certain she is watching over us and still caring for us.